Pope Francis

[emmie]

views on abortion, with an ever increasing world population, is he out of touch, or does he feel he has to say it because of his position.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25723422

[andy-hughes]

Guilt is one of the cornerstones of the Catholic faith - fear is another.

Both have been used to ensure little or no debate or questioning of the doctrines of the faith takes place - it is a nasty concept to keep believers under control by playing to their fears and insecurities - feelings largely unknown to priests and any eschelons of the church up to and including the Pope.

[tamborine]

Every Christian life strengthens the belief of the community. Muslims increase their community likewise, with big families. Jewsh population has increased since the holocaust even though their faith has laboured since christ. Its the cross or no faith athiests who void life as 'no value'.

Its all about numbers and the pope is chatsized for voicing what every other faith leader whispers.

[andy-hughes]

tambourine - "Every Christian life strengthens the belief of the community. Muslims increase their community likewise, with big families....".

I disagree. For almost all other faiths apart from Christianity - faith and worhsip are bound up as part of daily life and routines, so yes, a sense of community does exist for these faiths.

I dispute that Christianity creates or furthers communities - from my epxerience, you will find more power struggles, small-mindedness, back-biting, and cabalism in Christian parishes than you will anywhere else in UK culture.

[tamborine]

Am brought up RC and practise my faith like a comfort blanket to suit me. Am aware of the horrors of some experiences in my faith but it happens throughout mankind.

We learn from our mistakes but I would not turn to another faith.

[gness]

The Catholic church chooses not to learn from mistakes if it can cover up and get away with it.

Any hurt, estrangement and discord in my family has its roots in the church.

There are many things I would love to be able to change about my upbringing. Had the Catholic church not existed or even had less control over my family I would want to change little, if anything.

[emmie]

tambo
no faith atheists who don't see life as having value, are you joking....
if so not remotely amusing.

[andy-hughes]

emmie - supporting the right of a woman to choose what happens to her own body and life is not the same as not valuing life - a sweeping and offensive statement.

[emmie]

what is a sweeping and offensive statement, i was responding to tambo post a few goes back

[beso]

Being out of touch is one of the prerequisites to become a Pope.

[emmie]

tambo, did i misunderstand this then


Its the cross or no faith athiests who void life as 'no value'.

[beso]

tamborine //Its the cross or no faith athiests who void life as 'no value'. //

What evidence have you that Christians intrinsically value life any better than atheists??

From what I have read, death is the central to all the Abrahamic faiths. Indeed it is held in the highest esteem as the doorway to ultimate glory.